Men's Softball League
A sport that enjoys a three season schedule.
The Lake Valhalla Club Men’s Softball League welcomes new and returning players!
From opening day and the traditional "Family BBQ" to the end of the season "Wolford Cup" tournament and "Men's Softball Banquet", Men's Softball is exciting and great fun for players and fans! Come down with your family and see your fellow members play!
Rules & Regulations
Age Limit: All eligible players must be 21 years of age (except for the few grandfathered sons in 2011).
Players: All present players are required to bat and must play a minimum of 3 innings in the field.
Home Team: First team listed is the home team, unless “flip” is noted, then home team is determined by toss of the coin.
Umpires: If you cannot make the game you are assigned, you are responsible for finding someone to cover for you.
1 and 1 Count: On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the “1 and 1” count should be considered.
Field Preparations: Managers are responsible for having the field ready for play 15 minutes before game time and cleaning up.
GROUND RULES
Tennis Court Rule: A ball that lands in the First court will be a ground rule double, a ball that lands over the curtain in the second court will be a homerun. Rule applies to both lefties and righties.
Wire Rule: Ball hits the wire foul; it’s a foul: hits fair it’s a fair ball.
Leaf Rule: The ball is a “live” ball even if it changes direction and can be caught for an out. If the ball changes direction and lands in fair territory, it is a fair ball. If the ball is caught in the out of bounds areas that are chalked off, it is a foul ball. Rule not applicable to a home run.
Ground Rule Double: It is a Ground Rule Double when a ball bounces over, under, or through a fence.
SUBSTITUTION RULES
Team must have 5 roster players for an official game. You can sub only to 9 players. Subs bat opposite and at the bottom of the order. The opposing manager determines what defensive position the sub plays limited to C, 1B, RF, 2B. The sub must use the wooden bat. Any ball hit over the tennis court fence by a sub is a grounds rule double.
PITCHING/DESIGNATED WALKER (DW)
The pitch must be between the top of the head of the batter and the top of the backstop (which is about 14.5 feet high). 4 pitch walks (or 3 if a 1/1 count) to the DW is an intentional walk. After the 1st intentional walk to the DW, all others are 2 bases.
BASE RUNNING/OVERTHROWS
If a runner crosses the “Calahan Line” he must advance home. All plays at the plate are force plays. However, the fielder has the option to tag the runner. The runner must go to the 2nd home plate only; If not, it’s an automatic out. Runner advancing from 1B to 2B (or 2B to 3B) must slide or give himself Up on a force play. This is subject to the umpires regarding interference.
OVERTHROW FROM THE OUTFIELD
If the ball goes out of bounds the runner gets the base he was going to and one more. So, if runner starts on 1st and has 2nd before the ball is released, the runner gets 3rd and home. If the batter does not have 1st …he gets 2nd.
LEGAL BATS
We have purchased 5 new bats and use the bats from last year; as well as donated bats are numbered and will be counted before each game. No One will be allowed to bring their own bat or take a bat from the field. If a non authorized bat is used in a game and discovered, that bat will be removed and the player will NOT bat that inning and will receive an automatic OUT when he’s supposed to hit. If he has hit with the bat, it’s an OUT and the play will be negated. All bats meet our ASA rules. They are the property of the Softball League and CANNOT be taken to other leagues.
2 BALL RULE
The game ball will be replaced with a new ball to start the bottom of the 4th inning.
MINIMUM ATTENDANCE
A player must make a minimum of 9 of the 21 regular season games to be eligible for the Wolford Cup roster.
REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
There will be two Division (American & National), with each Division winner and 1 Wild Card Team advancing to the playoffs. The Division winners (American & National) will be determined by the team with the best overall record in each Division The Wild Card team will be the team in either Division with the next best overall record The Division winner with the best overall record will receive a bye. The other Division winner will play the Wild Card team in the Wild Card Playoff Game. The winner of this game will play 1 game final against the Division winner that received the bye with the overall best record.
Wild Card Game – Division Winner is home team. Championship Game – Division Winner with bye is home team.
Ties in records: for purposes of determining the Division Winners and Wild Card team in the event of a tie. It will be based on the following logic: (1) Head to Head record; (2) Head to Head runs record; (2) Head to Head runs scored for; (3) Division record.
WOLFORD CUP PLAYOFFS
The Wolford Cup playoffs will be a double elimination. The teams are selected out of a hat.